SUNY Cobleskill offers cybersecurity degree

SUNY Cobleskill is now offering a cybersecurity bachelor's of technology degree program, which joins the college's existing Business and Information Technology department.

“We live in a world where everybody is globally connected and technology is a central element to business,” said Jack Rivituso, the college's cybersecurity and information technology program coordinator. “There are people out there willing to exploit the resources and steal identities and intellectual properties. This program is designed to combat, or at least mitigate, these types of cybercrimes.”

The program is now accepting its first batch of students seeking cybersecurity degrees and they will start in the fall, Rivituso said. Cybersecurity program faculty members have experience in computer science, environmental engineering, business, software development, digital creation and civic engagement, according to a media release by SUNY Cobleskill.

A new part-time faculty member with extensive cybersecurity experience has been hired for the semester, Rivituso said.

"Each of our faculty brings a different skill set, a different level of experience and comes from a different part of the industry," said Susan Zimmermann, Cobleskill's provost. "Everyone brings something that the students benefit from, that collective experience of the faculty."

Over four years, students will become familiar with present trends and apply learned concepts to understand cybercriminal behaviors and tendencies, according to the release. Students will learn about digital forensics, ethical hacking, web development, and information security in a hands-on environment.

They will begin the curriculum from an information technology perspective, covering concepts in software, hardware, operating systems and networking, according to the release. They will move on to topics in forensics and methods in system testing, and they must complete a 12-credit internship before they graduate.

Data from the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 32% from 2018 to 2028. Career options in cybersecurity include analyst, engineer and technician positions for law enforcement, government and business agencies, according to the release. The broad range of transferable skills cybersecurity professionals have means they can also work in security consultation, risk management, and information technology.

"Everyone, from the smallest mom-and-pop type of company to the largest businesses, has a need for cybersecurity," Rivituso said.

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